Despite what we see on the news: We're all safer

[catherine]

Interesting article on Yahoo:

https://homes.yahoo.com/news/the-10-...201545833.html

My "home away from home," Vermont, is #1, and its crime rate dropped dramatically.

Who has a state on this list? I know that we have a few #9ers: Minnesota.

[Miss Cellane]

New Hampshire is the 6th safest state to live in.

Interesting that Maine, NH and Vermont are in the top 10. I'm wondering--it's too cold up here for the crooks? Nope, Wisconsin is much colder. There's not enough people up here to make crime profitable? We're all so close to Canada that their niceness has leaked over the border?

[SteveinMN]

We're all so close to Canada that their niceness has leaked over the border?

I suspect that's Minnesota's excuse.

[iris lilies]

St. Louis had 6 murders in 24 hours last week. 2014 was bad for the Lou and January 2015 isn't starting out any better.

So yeah, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine--not a lot of urban centers there, eh? Credit the Canadians if you will, but likely something else going on.

DH and I talk about leaving St. Louis in retirement, and I am torn between my extreme attraction to New Hampshire (it has some climate situations that I like, topography, architecture, Yankee mentality, Libertarian settlements) and my imagined boredom at nothing-but-Yankee culture there. So, could I have Yankee farmhouses with Thai/Nigerian/Punjab/Bosnian settlements for the restaurants? No, I didn't think so. Also, the public libraries in New England are not all that great, they cannot rival the great Midwestern institutions.

States that attract me the most on an emotional level are: Oregon, New Hampshire/Vermont, and some of Tennessee/Kentucky. Besides my adopted state of Missouri, mind you. I love Missouri like crazy. I am getting weepy just thinking about leaving.

Also we could always go back "home" to Iowa because dear lord there is that beautiful, rich, black, loamy soil that will support iris 'n lilies like nothing else. And the crime rate is quite low.

[JaneV2.0]

If you settle in an urban environment in Oregon--especially Portland--you'll have access to a never-ending variety of ethnic cuisine, Iris Lily.

I practically become catatonic when I consider tearing myself away from the Seattle area, but it's probably inevitable. And if I do, it's back to Portland for me. Maybe I'll see you there...

[creaker]

New Hampshire is the 6th safest state to live in.

Interesting that Maine, NH and Vermont are in the top 10. I'm wondering--it's too cold up here for the crooks? Nope, Wisconsin is much colder. There's not enough people up here to make crime profitable? We're all so close to Canada that their niceness has leaked over the border?

Actually I saw a graphic - and yes the warmer states generally had more crime.

[Florence]

Maybe it has something to do with the cooler climate. Needless to say, my state, Texas, is nowhere on the list.

[Packy]

The factors that correlate most closely to crime rates, especially violent crimes, are um, Demographic. High Minority Count=Lots Of Crime. It's just that way, irrefutably so. Just keep that in mind. As far as climate is concerned, warmer climates year-around have higher crime, and a higher cost of living in most cases. Another thing is, and one that I noticed this on this thread, is the perception that the best places are the ones they have read about on popular media. Ha. Well, because of that, they have already become "trendy" and everyone is moving there, grabbing up property, and bringing in what they left behind in the process! See? So, if you are looking for a good place to retire, and don't mind a 4-season climate, you'll have to dig deeper than the headlines on MSN internet "News", because by the time you read it, it is getting Callyfornycated already. What I think is stooped is when old fogeys think they need to retire to a year-round tropical or desert climate, with beaches nearby, when the old fogey lifestyle essentially amounts to sitting in the AC, EATING, watching THE GAME, and "spending time with the Graaaaaandkids". The grandkids, usually live in Nebraska or New Jersey, so this amounts to infrequent visits and/or long commutes. So, forget about those 'net or magazine articles about "best places to retire", and do your own research. Go somewhere in the Midwest or eastern side of the Rockies that has not become a Household word(like Colorado has), already. Also, move to a place where they have approximately the same accent that you do. At your age, you don't want to deal with too much Culture Shock. Maybe I've overstated that one, but I stand by it, anyway. Hope that helps you some. Thankk Mee.

[Teacher Terry]

Nevada was the 3rd unsafest which did not surprise me because it is a very transient state. Often people come & figure out they can't make a decent living in relation to the cost of living, etc. If you are a professional then you won't have that problem. Also with all the casinos, being able to drink at all hours, gambling & lack of gun control -these all contribute to the problem. I have lived in Wis, TX, KS, & upstate NY & by far I love it here. I love the 4 seasons & the mountains so close. As far as seniors sitting around in the AC-I don't think so. Many baby boomers like us are much more active then our predecessors. WE walk an hour/day on trails, snowshoe, etc. Many seniors here grew up skiing & still do. This is a great place to live if you have an active lifestyle & like a mild climate but still want all the seasons.

[Packy]

Nevada was the 3rd unsafest which did not surprise me because it is a very transient state. Often people come & figure out they can't make a decent living in relation to the cost of living, etc. If you are a professional then you won't have that problem. Also with all the casinos, being able to drink at all hours, gambling & lack of gun control -these all contribute to the problem. I have lived in Wis, TX, KS, & upstate NY & by far I love it here. I love the 4 seasons & the mountains so close. As far as seniors sitting around in the AC-I don't think so. Many baby boomers like us are much more active then our predecessors. WE walk an hour/day on trails, snowshoe, etc. Many seniors here grew up skiing & still do. This is a great place to live if you have an active lifestyle & like a mild climate but still want all the seasons.

Seniors. Sure, there are those that maintain a physically-active lifestyle. But, the ones you are speaking of are still very much a minority. Most people over 50 though, are into the "old fogey" lifestyle. Food, corny entertainment, staying comfy, having family around, Church, tidying up around their home, more Food. But, "Active", if they are affluent, might mean buying a Harley-Davidson, and ride it around 2-3000 miles during the summer or going on a Cruise Ship or Luxury Vacation, like Cancun or Hawaii. If they are poor, they might garden or go fishing or visit "their daughter in Indiana". But, that's basically it for most of them.